• Source:JND

Two fruit sellers in Mumbai’s Malad West have been arrested after a viral video showed them smearing rat poison on fruits displayed for sale. The Malad police on Wednesday acted on a complaint filed by a local resident, who also submitted video evidence.

During the inspection, officers recovered a substance identified as "Ratol", a commercially available rodenticide containing toxic chemicals such as yellow phosphorus from the vendors’ roadside stall. Authorities have since sealed the stall.

The accused identified as Manoj Sangamlal Kesarwani (42) and Rahul Sadanlal Kesarwani (25), residents of Rajanpada in Malad West were produced before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Borivali the same day.

As reported by NDTV, the two men told authorities they had applied the substance to protect their fruit from rodents overnight. Medical experts, however, have warned that contact between toxic rodenticides and consumable items can result in severe health consequences, including nausea, abdominal distress, organ damage, and potentially life-threatening poisoning.

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The video circulating on social media appears to show one of the vendors handling bananas while spreading a cream-like substance on them, raising alarm among local residents concerned about food safety standards.

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Following the incident, residents have urged stronger oversight and regular inspections by agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Police have filed a case under applicable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and further inquiries are underway.


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